Ranomafana National Park

🇲🇬 Madagascar

🐒 Golden Bamboo Lemur's Enchanted Forest
🌍 #58 Global · 4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #35 in Africa #18 in Tropical Forest
Madagascar, Madagascar 532 spp. recorded

Ranomafana National Park is a mountainous tropical rainforest reserve in southeastern Madagascar, defined by steep, mist-covered valleys and rushing rivers. Unlike drier deciduous reserves in the north, this dense, evergreen landscape supports specialized biodiversity adapted to heavy rainfall and lush canopy growth.

-21.204° S   47.444° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Ranomafana Nosed Chameleon ★

Ranomafana Nosed Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Calumma tjiasmantoi

50–60% · Likely
Milne-Edwards' Sifaka ★
EN

Milne-Edwards' Sifaka

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Propithecus edwardsi

70–80% · Very likely
Golden Bamboo Lemur ★
CR

Golden Bamboo Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hapalemur aureus

80–90% · Very likely
Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko ★
LC

Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Uroplatus phantasticus

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Madagascar Bulbul
LC

Madagascar Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Hypsipetes madagascariensis

80–90% · Very likely
Peacock Day Gecko
LC

Peacock Day Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Phelsuma quadriocellata

70–80% · Very likely
Cryptic Chameleon
LC

Cryptic Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Calumma crypticum

70–80% · Very likely
O'Shaughnessy's Chameleon
VU

O'Shaughnessy's Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Calumma oshaughnessyi

70–80% · Very likely
Souimanga Sunbird
LC

Souimanga Sunbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cinnyris sovimanga

70–80% · Very likely
Red-fronted Brown Lemur
VU Endemic

Red-fronted Brown Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Eulemur rufifrons

70–80% · Very likely
Madagascar White-eye
LC

Madagascar White-eye

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zosterops maderaspatanus

60–70% · Likely
Madagascar Cuckoo
LC

Madagascar Cuckoo

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Cuculus rochii

60–70% · Likely
Greater Bamboo Lemur
CR

Greater Bamboo Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Prolemur simus

60–70% · Likely
Striped Day Gecko
LC Endemic

Striped Day Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Phelsuma lineata

60–70% · Likely
Rufous Mouse Lemur
VU

Rufous Mouse Lemur

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Microcebus rufus

60–70% · Likely
Red-bellied Lemur
VU

Red-bellied Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Eulemur rubriventer

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Milne-Edwards' Sifaka ★
EN

Milne-Edwards' Sifaka

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Propithecus edwardsi

70–80% · Very likely
Golden Bamboo Lemur ★
CR

Golden Bamboo Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hapalemur aureus

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Red-fronted Brown Lemur
VU Endemic

Red-fronted Brown Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Eulemur rufifrons

70–80% · Very likely
Greater Bamboo Lemur
CR

Greater Bamboo Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Prolemur simus

60–70% · Likely
Rufous Mouse Lemur
VU

Rufous Mouse Lemur

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Microcebus rufus

60–70% · Likely
Red-bellied Lemur
VU

Red-bellied Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Eulemur rubriventer

60–70% · Likely
Malagasy Ring-tailed Mongoose
LC Endemic

Malagasy Ring-tailed Mongoose

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Galidia elegans

60–70% · Likely
Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur
CR

Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Varecia variegata

40–50% · Likely
Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur
VU Endemic

Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hapalemur griseus

40–50% · Likely
Fanaloka
VU Endemic

Fanaloka

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Fossa fossana

40–50% · Likely
Peyrieras' Woolly Lemur
VU

Peyrieras' Woolly Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Avahi peyrierasi

30–40% · Possible
Small-toothed Sportive Lemur
EN

Small-toothed Sportive Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lepilemur microdon

30–40% · Possible
Lowland Streaked Tenrec
LC

Lowland Streaked Tenrec

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hemicentetes semispinosus

20–30% · Possible
Island Mouse
LC

Island Mouse

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Nesomys rufus

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Madagascar Bulbul
LC

Madagascar Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Hypsipetes madagascariensis

80–90% · Very likely
Souimanga Sunbird
LC

Souimanga Sunbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cinnyris sovimanga

70–80% · Very likely
Madagascar White-eye
LC

Madagascar White-eye

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zosterops maderaspatanus

60–70% · Likely
Madagascar Cuckoo
LC

Madagascar Cuckoo

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Cuculus rochii

60–70% · Likely
Tylas Vanga
NT Endemic

Tylas Vanga

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tylas eduardi

60–70% · Likely
Madagascar Paradise-Flycatcher
LC

Madagascar Paradise-Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Terpsiphone mutata

60–70% · Likely
Madagascar Magpie-Robin
LC Endemic

Madagascar Magpie-Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Copsychus albospecularis

60–70% · Likely
Malagasy Brush Warbler
LC

Malagasy Brush Warbler

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Nesillas typica

60–70% · Likely
Blue Coua
LC Endemic

Blue Coua

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coua caerulea

60–70% · Likely
Red-tailed Vanga
LC Endemic

Red-tailed Vanga

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Calicalicus madagascariensis

60–70% · Likely
Crested Drongo
LC

Crested Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus forficatus

50–60% · Likely
Pitta-like Ground Roller
LC Endemic

Pitta-like Ground Roller

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Atelornis pittoides

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Ranomafana Nosed Chameleon ★

Ranomafana Nosed Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Calumma tjiasmantoi

50–60% · Likely
Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko ★
LC

Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Uroplatus phantasticus

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Peacock Day Gecko
LC

Peacock Day Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Phelsuma quadriocellata

70–80% · Very likely
Cryptic Chameleon
LC

Cryptic Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Calumma crypticum

70–80% · Very likely
O'Shaughnessy's Chameleon
VU

O'Shaughnessy's Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Calumma oshaughnessyi

70–80% · Very likely
Striped Day Gecko
LC Endemic

Striped Day Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Phelsuma lineata

60–70% · Likely
Glaw's Chameleon
EN

Glaw's Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Calumma glawi

60–70% · Likely
Deceptive Chameleon

Deceptive Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Calumma fallax

60–70% · Likely
Parson's Chameleon
NT Endemic

Parson's Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Calumma parsonii

60–70% · Likely
Two-banded Chameleon
EN

Two-banded Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Furcifer balteatus

50–60% · Likely
Madagascar tree boa
LC Endemic

Madagascar tree boa

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sanzinia madagascariensis

50–60% · Likely
Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko
LC

Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Uroplatus sikorae

40–50% · Likely
Gravenhorst's Mabuya
LC Endemic

Gravenhorst's Mabuya

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis gravenhorstii

40–50% · Likely
Brown Leaf Chameleon
LC Endemic

Brown Leaf Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Brookesia superciliaris

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Madagascar Bright-eyed Frog
LC

Madagascar Bright-eyed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Boophis madagascariensis

50–60% · Likely
Pandanus Frog
LC

Pandanus Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Guibemantis pulcher

50–60% · Likely
Baron's Mantella
LC

Baron's Mantella

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Mantella baroni

40–50% · Likely
Whitebelly Reed Frog
LC

Whitebelly Reed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Heterixalus alboguttatus

40–50% · Likely
Ivohimanita Madagascar Frog
LC

Ivohimanita Madagascar Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Mantidactylus majori

30–40% · Possible
Mascarene Ridged Frog
LC

Mascarene Ridged Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Ptychadena mascareniensis

20–30% · Possible
White-lipped Bright-eyed Frog
LC

White-lipped Bright-eyed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Boophis albilabris

20–30% · Possible
Betsileo Reed Frog
LC Endemic

Betsileo Reed Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Heterixalus betsileo

20–30% · Possible
Spiny Rain Frog
LC

Spiny Rain Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Scaphiophryne spinosa

10–20% · With luck
Eastern Madagascar Frog
LC

Eastern Madagascar Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Mantidactylus melanopleura

10–20% · With luck
Tschenk's Madagascar Frog
LC

Tschenk's Madagascar Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Gephyromantis tschenki

10–20% · With luck
Dumeril's Bright-eyed Frog
LC Endemic

Dumeril's Bright-eyed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Boophis tephraeomystax

10–20% · With luck

Animal Events

🦌

Lemur Dawn Chorus

AugOctDec

The park erupts in a symphony of vocalizations at dawn as Milne-Edwards' Sifaka, Red-fronted Brown Lemur, and other species mark territory and communicate with group members.

Red-fronted Brown Lemur
VU Endemic

Red-fronted Brown Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Eulemur rufifrons

70–80% · Very likely
Milne-Edwards' Sifaka
EN

Milne-Edwards' Sifaka

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Propithecus edwardsi

70–80% · Very likely
Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur
CR

Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Varecia variegata

40–50% · Likely
🦎

Chameleon Mating Season

FebJulAugOct

Male Ranomafana Nosed Chameleons and Parson's Chameleons engage in elaborate color-changing displays and ritualized movements to attract females, peaking during the wet season.

Ranomafana Nosed Chameleon

Ranomafana Nosed Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Calumma tjiasmantoi

50–60% · Likely
Parson's Chameleon
NT Endemic

Parson's Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Calumma parsonii

60–70% · Likely
Two-banded Chameleon
EN

Two-banded Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Furcifer balteatus

50–60% · Likely
🦌

Bamboo Lemur Feeding Frenzy

JanJunAugOctDec

Golden and Greater Bamboo Lemurs converge on giant bamboo groves, stripping culms to access nutritious pith, creating a spectacle of synchronized foraging and social interaction.

Golden Bamboo Lemur
CR

Golden Bamboo Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hapalemur aureus

80–90% · Very likely
Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur
VU Endemic

Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hapalemur griseus

40–50% · Likely
Greater Bamboo Lemur
CR

Greater Bamboo Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Prolemur simus

60–70% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
Ranomafana Nosed Chameleon
50–60
20–30
50–60
70–80
30–40
40–50
60–70
80–90
50–60
40–50
30–40
70–80
Milne-Edwards' Sifaka
70–80
50–60
40–50
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
60–70
80–90
70–80
80–90
Golden Bamboo Lemur
70–80
70–80
40–50
50–60
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko
60–70
70–80
60–70
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
Madagascar Bulbul
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
Peacock Day Gecko
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
80–90
80–90
90–100
Cryptic Chameleon
70–80
70–80
60–70
80–90
80–90
80–90
40–50
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
O'Shaughnessy's Chameleon
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
Souimanga Sunbird
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
60–70
60–70
Red-fronted Brown Lemur
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
80–90
70–80
70–80
Madagascar White-eye
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
Madagascar Cuckoo
60–70
40–50
20–30
50–60
20–30
60–70
20–30
10–20
70–80
80–90
80–90
60–70
Greater Bamboo Lemur
70–80
20–30
30–40
20–30
50–60
70–80
60–70
80–90
50–60
60–70
60–70
80–90
Striped Day Gecko
70–80
80–90
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
Rufous Mouse Lemur
50–60
50–60
30–40
60–70
60–70
50–60
30–40
40–50
60–70
80–90
50–60
40–50
Red-bellied Lemur
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
Animal Events
🦌 Lemur Dawn Chorus
🦎 Chameleon Mating Season
🦌 Bamboo Lemur Feeding Frenzy

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🐒 Golden Bamboo Lemur's Enchanted Forest

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
212
🐒 Mammals
90
🦎 Reptiles
90
🐸 Amphibians
140
532 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
101 Threatened 1 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.2 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
76%
📊
Coverage (205 species at ≥5% of 532 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
39%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (4 reptile, 4 bird, 4 mammal)
46% Global avg
89%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
84
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
21
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
57

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Ranomafana National Park?

The most likely sightings are Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Madagascar Bulbul (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Golden Bamboo Lemur (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Peacock Day Gecko (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Milne-Edwards' Sifaka (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 532 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Ranomafana National Park for wildlife?

October has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Ranomafana Nosed Chameleon in Ranomafana National Park?

Yes — about 56% of wildlife watchers report a Ranomafana Nosed Chameleon sighting in Ranomafana National Park, based on 47 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Milne-Edwards' Sifaka in Ranomafana National Park?

Yes — about 79% of wildlife watchers report a Milne-Edwards' Sifaka sighting in Ranomafana National Park, based on 120 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Golden Bamboo Lemur in Ranomafana National Park?

Yes — about 80% of wildlife watchers report a Golden Bamboo Lemur sighting in Ranomafana National Park, based on 124 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko in Ranomafana National Park?

Yes — about 82% of wildlife watchers report a Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko sighting in Ranomafana National Park, based on 140 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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